Psalm 134: For Faith in Our Daily Petitions
PSALM 134: FOR FAITH IN OUR DAILY PETITIONS
(Prayer 1) It ought to be a most pleasant and joyful thing unto us (O almighty God) to celebrate thy high praises perpetually, and show forth thy marvelous works without ceasing: for the performance whereof, godliness would require, that we should not only do the same on the day time, but also in the night season. But yet notwithstanding, our most heinous sins and continual backslidings compel us rather to burst out into sorrowful tears, piteous sobbings, and deep sighs, wherethrough we may say always before thee: we verily have sinned
(O good God) exceeding grievously, whose offenses are more in number than the sand of the sea, and Stars of the sky, but now we lift up our hands unto our holy sanctuary, which is Jesus Christ thy dearly beloved Son, so that whatsoever we cannot obtain through our own worthiness and deserts, we endeavor to achieve the same by his only means and gracious favor. We heartily require this at thy merciful hands (O most excellent father) that thou wouldest at one time or other, out of Zion (that is to say out of the hid treasure of thy clemency) be favorable unto the people which fly to thee for succor, by delivering them from present mishaps, whereby thou (who diddest make heaven and earth) hast vouchedsafe to call us unto the knowledge of thy blessed name, so that we may lawfully render abundant thanks and show forth thy worthy praises with a most free and joyful heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Seeing thou hast beatified all those with a notable promise (O most mighty God) which are knit together in the honoring of thy blessed name, so that thou wilt not only be present with them, but also bestowest excellent benefits upon these men whosoever they are that excel in sincere faith and pure godliness, and have an exceeding desire to be in the blessed congregations, insomuch as there is nothing which they more covet or desire, than to appear diverse times before thee in the sacred assemblies. But because we see ourselves greatly defiled with most heinous faults, overlading us in such wise, as we dare not celebrate and praise thee as Christians ought to do: our earnest request is therefore that thou wouldst (of thy unspeakable mercy, infinite goodness, and excellent